EDITOR – One of the sad realities of amenities within eThekwini Municipality is the lack of maintenance and the resultant extent to which they are negatively exploited by anti-social elements.
The whale watching deck in Finnemore Place is a case in point (SUN, 23 August). Unfortunately an EIA (environmental impact assessment) was not carried out prior to the establishment of the deck. Not surprisingly, residents now find that they have parking, anti-social and littering problems. A recent visit to the deck revealed that vagrants are sleeping underneath it. The stench of excrement was also evident along with an extensive assortment of garbage.
Such conditions are not conducive to generating economic benefit. Certainly they are of no benefit to property owners in the vicinity who now find themselves burdened with issues that previously were minimal if not non-existent.
Aware of the issues that have arisen in Finnemore Place, it is of note that 95 per cent of the residents of Netford Road have expressed their opposition to the erection of any form of infrastructure for whale watching purposes in their street. While the idea of promoting whale watching is laudable, the negative consequences of infrastructure such as decks should be assessed first. Indeed, apart from providing an information board at viewing sites, there is no need for the erection of any other structures. The best whale viewing site has long been in existence, it is the Wessa property in the southern part of Marine Drive, which has ample parking, security fencing and a boardwalk.
DR DUNCAN DU BOIS.
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